Friday, July 4, 2008
Drought Sparks Fireworks Warnings (7/4/08)
South Carolina's drought has state and local fire officials urging people to forgo backyard fireworks displays and attend public ones instead this holiday weekend. In Anderson County, one of the hardest hit by the drought, fire officials have battled several recent grass fires. County Fire Chief Billy Gibson said those blazes weren't started by fireworks, but he warned that sparks from fireworks could easily cause wildfires. Fireworks aren't the only threat this holiday. State Forestry Commission spokesman Scott Hawkins said grills and lawn equipment also create an increased risk for fires. Earlier this week, the state Drought Response Committee voted to upgrade the drought category for five Upstate counties to extreme, which is the most severe.
DNR offers Boat Safety Checks over Holiday (7/4/08)
Officers with the South Carolina Natural Resources Department will offer safety inspections at several of the state’s public boat landings during the July Fourth weekend. Officers from the agency's Law Enforcement Division will perform the checks looking for proper safety equipment and boat and motor registrations. The agency said those not in compliance will not be ticketed, but will get the chance to correct the violation. The department said there have been 13 boating deaths on South Carolina waters as of mid-June. That compares with 16 boating fatalities all of last year. For a list of inspection sites, visit DNR’s Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov.
Builder to crank it up next week (7/4/08)
A normally quiet residential area in Seneca is likely to experience a noisy buzz next week when the builder for a new elementary school gets started. Oconee County Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Thorsland signed the contract Wednesday officially authorizing Melloul-Blamey to build the new Blue Ridge Elementary School on Highway 59, across from Seneca Baptist Church. The job is worth more than $13.5 million and, according to Dr. Thorsland, Melloul-Blamey’s offer was the lowest bid, by $225,000. Dr. Thorsland says the contractor maintains headquarters in Canada, but has an office in Greenville. He also said that another bidder filed a protest, but the protest was later dropped.
Oconee County School Superintendent to be evaluated (7/4/08)
Oconee County’s first-year district superintendent of education is due next week to be evaluated by the county school board of trustees, which is his employer. The evaluation of Dr. Michael Lucas is planned as a private proceeding, during the school board’s regular meeting at 6:30pm Tuesday in Walhalla. After Dr. Valerie Truesdale departed for Beaufort last summer, the board heeded the advice of an outside consultant and moved away from selecting her successor in a nationwide search. Instead, it promoted from within and elevated Dr. Lucas, then an assistant superintendent to superintendent.Celebrate 4th of July with designated driver (7/4/08)
With the Fourth of July upon us, we remember that the Declaration of Independence was likely drafted, in part, at a tavern by our founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, who also were home brewers. So, as you toast to our nation's independence, it's a good time to reflect upon the integral role brewers and distributors play in communities across the country, and to remind everyone to celebrate responsibly. Carol Clark with Anheuser-Busch has more, “As we celebrate our nation's freedoms, those of us who brew some of America's favorite beers reflect on the success of our communities-big and small-and say thank you. We're proud to do our part in providing good-paying jobs, implementing programs that help protect the environment, volunteering for local causes and providing charitable donations in times of need. And, we also want to say thanks to all of those adults who will volunteer to be a designated driver this holiday weekend...it's a great way to keep your holiday celebrations safe and show your community spirit!” Remember, this Fourth of July, salute your country, your founding fathers and your fellow designated drivers. For tips on how to celebrate safely, visit www.designateddriver.com.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Missing hikers found safe in Oconee County (7/3/08)
Three men have been found after an intense search in Oconee County. 27-year-old Jonathan Hamilton, his brother, Israel, and a friend started hiking near Bull Pen, North Carolina around 7pm Tuesday night. The plan was to make a 20-25 mile trek down the Chattooga River, and end up near the SC 28 Bridge in Oconee County, SC. Hamilton says the trip started out fun, but quickly went downhill. When the trio did not show up near the South Carolina 28 Bridge Wednesday morning, family members grew concerned, and contacted authorities. Little did they know, the group had gotten separated. Hamilton was on his own, with no food, drinking river water to quench his thirst. More than 40 searchers were called in to find the group, going backwards up the treacherous terrain to track them down. After about three hours searching, Hamilton’s brother and friend were found shortly after 5pm. Jonathan was not far behind. All three men are now safely at home recovering from exhaustion from the long hike.
Forest Service issues pre-decision (7/3/08)
“Some new limited boating opportunities on portions of the upper Chattooga.” That’s being termed the preferred alternative of the Forest Service when it comes to recreation uses on the upper Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. The US Forest Service today released a pre-decisional Environmental Assessment and the public now gets 30 days to comment. The issue has divided river lovers into the boaters and the environmentalists. Sumter National Forest Supervisor Jerome Thomas says, “Specifically, boating will be allowed from County Line Road Trail in North Carolina to Burrell’s Ford Bridge between December 1 and March 1 when mean daily flow levels average 450 or more, which is above those levels considered optimal for fishing.” The Forest Service preferred alternative also calls for limiting overnight camping in the upper Chattooga to designated sites or rehabilitating a number of user-created campsites and trails, or both. To relieve congestion and reduce impacts, roadside parking will also be prohibited within one-quarter mile of Burrells Ford Bridge.
County Administrator present sewer plan for Highway 59 (7/3/08)
Oconee County Administrator Dale Surrett told the County Council Tuesday night, there maybe a more economical way to sewer the 400 acres along Highway 59, known as the Golden Commerce Park. And Surrett said the idea is something used by the county school district. Surrett says at a couple schools the district uses septic systems at a cost of $100,000. But an exasperated Councilman Frank Ables said no one is talking about the sewer solution at I-85 exits One, Two, and Four. And its there, Ables told the council, that the county has had some bites from developers. Exit One is the spot where the state has called for development proposals.
Senator Alexander working to fund breast cancer screenings (7/3/08)
Breast cancer is a leading killer in women and State Senator Thomas Alexander of Oconee County is working to get more women screened for this life threatening disease, “We’re doubling the ability of women to be screened for breast and cervical cancer. Providing the opportunities for early detection.” Senator Alexander serves as chairman of the State Senate Health and Human Services finance sub-committee. $2 million in state money has been appropriated for the Best Chance Network that provides breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income, uninsured women in South Carolina.
Hillbilly 4th of July Festivities (7/3/08)
One of South Carolina’s top 4th of July events is ready. The 49th Annual Hillbilly Day takes place 9am to 3pm Friday on the community club grounds in the Oconee County hamlet of Mountain Rest. As more development consumes rural Oconee County, events such as Mountain Rest’s Hillbilly Day are a reminder of simpler times. These days authentic hillbillies are hard to come by, but don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of a real hillbilly with rifle, scooting thru the woods surrounding the club grounds. Hillbilly Day offers fun, food, and music, as well as demonstrations of soap and basket making, a country store, old time barbecue, hot dogs, boiled peanuts, banjo and fiddle contest, pig chase, sack race, and greased pole to name just a few. The object for those who try to climb the greased pole is to snatch the cash sticking to the top of the pole. The community folks invite everyone to Hillbilly Day. As they say each year, free parking and it don’t cost nothin’ to get in. Hillbilly grounds are located along South Carolina 28 in Mountain Rest.
Law Enforcement gearing up for 4th of July holiday
The mountains and the scenic waterways make for a big draw for weekend getaways. But unfortunately, according to highway patrol Captain Neal Brown, “This is also a time when impaired driving rises sharply around the lake areas.” Law enforcement is gearing up for July 4th and plans to look for impaired drivers and speeders, especially in and around local summer hot spots, like lake and mountain areas. Tomorrow afternoon troopers, along with DNR officers, will gather at Portman Marina near I-85 to discuss safe travel. The Office of Highway Safety “BAT” Mobile will be displayed to remind boat operators and motorists. And special enforcement will focus on the interstate, the primary highways including South Carolina 9, 11, 24, and 130.Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Accident sends two to hospital (7/2/08)
Two people were sent for treatment after a collision involving a car and a motorcycle Tuesday morning near West Union. From the wreckage, it appeared the collision occurred in the westbound lanes of South Carolina 28 and West Union Road. The accident occurred just after 8am. A spokeswoman for the highway patrol said the injuries suffered by the two drivers appear to be minor. Lance Corporal Kathy Hile said car driver Robert Jones of West Union and motorcycle operator Brett Underwood of Seneca were taken to Oconee Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Hile says Jones was cited for failure to yield the right of way. For about 30 minutes, Highway 28 traffic headed toward Walhalla was diverted onto West Union Road. Oconee County Sheriff’s officers helped with traffic control and West Union firefighters helped clean up debris.
Four killed in weekend related highway accidents (7/2/08)
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces that four people were killed on the state’s highways over the weekend. As of June 29, 473 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 533 last year at this time. Of the 356 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2008, 231 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight June 29, 59 motorcyclists, 44 pedestrians and six bicyclists have died in collisions on South Carolina roads and highways. In Oconee County, nine people have lost their lives in highway related accidents this year, which is the same number as last year at this time. In neighboring Pickens County, nine people have been killed on the state’s roads and highways in 2008, compared to 15 in 2007. And in Anderson County, 11 people have died in highway related crashes in 2008, compared to 29 deaths in 2007 at this same time.
Lawsuit filed in Seneca Child Care death (7/2/08)
Lawsuits have been filed in the aftermath of the May death of a two-month old child who was in the care of a daycare center at Seneca. The wrongful death and survivor’s actions each seek in excess of $100,000 in damages. They were filed Monday in the Oconee Common Pleas Court by Anderson attorney Anthony Harbin on behalf of Andrena McCauley, grandmother of the late Zay Avion Morris. Named as defendants are All God’s Children Daycare, Creative Kids, doing business as All God’s Children Daycare, and daycare owners Wanda and Doug Nichols. The lawsuits allege Zay was left at the South Fairplay Street daycare on May 6th. After being fed a bottle that afternoon, according to the allegations, Zay was found “un-responsive, very pale, and not breathing.” They allege that two daycare workers waited more than a half hour to call 911. EMS responded, but Zay was pronounced dead at the hospital. His death was ruled a suffocation. The complaints allege that since Zay’s death, the South Carolina Department of Social Services has forbidden All God’s Children Day Care from caring for children under the age of two years old.
Drought rating elevated (7/2/08)
Oconee and four other counties have been moved into the classification of extreme drought. Besides Oconee County, the state’s drought committee now applies extreme drought conditions to Cherokee, Greenville, Pickens, and Spartanburg. The committee acknowledges that conditions around South Carolina have worsened and the drought is causing major adverse impacts to forests and agriculture. Across much of the state, stream flows are extremely low. And everyone needs to increase efforts to save water. Seneca firefighters wish everyone a wonderful 4th of July, but to be safe if shooting off fireworks. Because of the drought, a small spark could ignite into a catastrophe. Some tips to follow if shooting fireworks: always read and follow label directions, have an adult present, and use the outdoors only. The City of Seneca is sponsoring a professional fireworks display shortly after 9pm Friday night at Gignilliat field. Just in case, brush units from Seneca, Friendship, Keowee, and Corinth-Shiloh will be working on a stepped-up basis.
New county fees begin (7/2/08)
Tuesday started a new year in county government. In Oconee County, that means it’s going to cost more to do business with parts of county government. By action of the Oconee County Council, fee increases start at solid waste facilities. Tipping fees at the transfer station rise from $38.50 a ton to $45 dollars a ton. Tipping fees at the landfill increase from $25 a ton to $30 a ton. Mulch goes from $10.60 a scoop to $15 a scoop. There are new and higher fees at the county’s parks that continue to prompt criticism from Susie Cornelius, the Mountain Rest woman who is running this fall for county treasurer. Cornelius has supplied copies of lease agreements between the county and Duke Power which, by letter and spirit, Cornelius maintains, guarantee the public the right to free boat launching at the county’s two Lake Keowee parks: South Cove and High Falls. Speaking to County Administrator Dale Surrett, Cornelius says she was told that despite the new fees, boaters can still launch at no charge. Cornelius says if you look elsewhere, you can find a Duke Power boat launch area where the county park fees won’t apply. Cornelius says she understands the new park fees to be $2 for all vehicles entering the park and $5 to park while off-loading a boat.
Clemson Downs annual 4th of July Parade (7/2/08)
If you can’t find a spot at the park campgrounds, maybe a good old 4th of July parade will be just the thing to re-inject some pride of the USA. The annual July 4th parade at Clemson Downs is unusual. It features old folks riding scooters, which is becoming more and more an economical way of getting around. But the Downs parade also features a police car, an ambulance, a fire truck and Larry Abernathy, Clemson’s long time mayor, now a Clemson Downs resident. If you’d like to witness the Clemson Downs Parade, gather in the Downs parking lot by 10 o’clock Friday morning. The parade follows a route of about one-half mile.
Campsites filing up fast for 4th of July (7/2/08)
Plenty of folks are spending the July 4th week in Oconee County! Three days before Friday the 4th, the county’s director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism is reporting that nearly all campsites have been staked out at Oconee County’s three parks. Director Phil Shirley said by last night, Chau-Ram near Westminster was the only one of the three still with spaces to rent.Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Satanic messages left on church buildings (7/1/08)
The police say satanic signs have been left at
two Walhalla churches. At one of the churches, the vandals left an obscene message on an outside wall. Walhalla police say they are investigating and suspect the vandals are kids out of school for the summer. The police have taken snapshots of the pentagrams and the other satanic signs at the Turning Point church on South John Street and at Victory Baptist Church on South Laurel Street. The vandals scrawled an obscene word onto a building at Victory Baptist Church as well.
Oconee County Deputy honored (7/1/08)
James A. Freeman of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was presented the J.P. Strom Award at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy on Friday. The J.P. Strom Award is given to the student with the highest cumulative point total for all nine written tests given during the nine-week class. Freeman is the top graduate of 61 criminal justice cadets from around the state to complete the nine-week Basic Law Enforcement course. Freeman is a native South Carolinian. He graduated from Walhalla High School in 2003 and from Presbyterian College in 2007.
Seneca gets much-needed rain (7/1/08)
Bob Faires’ prayers have been answered, well somewhat. One of the driest spots in Oconee County got some much-needed moisture over the weekend. Seneca’s utilities director says more than one inch of rain was measured at the city’s treatment plant at Normandy Shores on Lake Keowee. Because of the drought, however, all customers are asked to cutback on their water usage when possible. Too much rain in the Midwest has once again delayed the arrival of the ironworkers needed to complete Seneca’s first one million gallon capacity water tank near Oconee Medical Center. Faires says those workers can’t leave their Midwest jobs for another week.
No word yet on Lake Hartwell development (7/1/08)
Last week was the reported deadline for outfits to submit development proposals for the 325 acres along Lake Hartwell, just inside Oconee County off I-85. But, from the attempts we’ve made, folks in Columbia just aren’t talking. A representative of the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department referred our inquiry to an official of the state Budget and Control Board. But that official, Chris Manos, is keeping a tight lip. Manos left a phone message saying, “No information is available on the Lake Hartwell project. We do not give out any information as to the number of bids or who submitted any bids.” There have been rumors about one developer wanting to build a water park, as a way to attract I-85 motorists headed between Charlotte and Atlanta.
Highway Patrol launches Summer HEAT Campaign (7/1/08)
A second wave of a stop high-risk driving effort is expected to turn up the heat this week on motorists who break the law along the I-85 corridor. Law enforcement authorities have named their effort the “Summer HEAT” July 4th campaign. A gathering Friday kicked off the combined effort covering South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. The strategy is to catch speeders, drivers under the influence, and those who violating seat belt and child safety restraint rules. And the end result is to reduce injuries and fatalities over the July 4th holiday period.Monday, June 30, 2008
Seneca Police conduct drug sweep (6/30/08)
A roundup of drug dealers in Seneca was conducted on Friday. Seneca Police Department Narcotics Agents & Task Force Officers sought 39 different people on over 100 arrest warrants. Seneca Officers were assisted by U.S. Marshals, Pickens, Anderson & Oconee Sheriff’s Offices & Pickens Probation & Parole officers. Task Force Officers arrested 26 of the people being sought. This Drug Dealer Sweep is a result of a 4 month long investigation by the Seneca Police Department Narcotics Division. Officers will continue to work to locate and arrest all of the suspects.
Seneca still prepared to hire Events Planner (6/30/08)
The Seneca City Council is still preparing to hire a special events planner to organize and schedule activities for the city. The need for this new position grew from the recent success of the city’s Memorial Day Weekend Meet and 3 event, which attracted over 13,000 people to Seneca for the three day festival. “There’s a tremendous amount of time that has to go into planning any type of event,” explained Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander. “Rick Lacey, Seneca’s Recreation Director, does an excellent job, but one thing that we realize is and the Council has really wanted to look at the possibility of getting an events person that can help plan for events.” In the 2008-2009 budget, the Seneca City Council set aside $5,000 a month in the special revenue budget to pay for a special events planner. City residents will not be taxed for the new position but rather money that they are already paying will be put aside for the special events planner. Currently city staff members work several additional hours to plan, co-ordinate, and work special events in the city. “Being able to stay at the recreation center a lot more than what I do right now, would benefit the recreation center as well as residents,” said Seneca’s Recreation Director Rick Lacey. “All these events are basically on days that all city employees are usually off. So it would benefit me greatly because a lot of work and time goes into planning these events. I constantly take calls about the events from craft vendors, food vendors and area residents. Not only that the bands to get everything set up so when they get into to town they’re all taken care of.” The Seneca City Council is still working on the plan to hire and pay for an events planner. Discussions have taken place amongst council members that the Chambers, other cities, and even the county could help pay for the new position and utilize those services to increase tourism throughout the Golden Corner. Right now the city is planning for the 4th of July. Seneca will hold their second annual fireworks extravaganza on Friday the 4th of July at the football stadium behind the Gignilliat Community Center. Activities will begin at 1:45pm and run through the 30-minute fireworks show scheduled to start just after dark or around 9pm. Admission is free to the event and everyone is welcome to attend.
Weekend showers bring little relief to drought (6/30/08)
Yesterday’s downpour made only the briefest of stops in Walhalla. The Official Weather Observer at Hickory Hollow Farm reports .0100 of an inch on the ground at Walhalla. For all but the last day of June, this month’s Walhalla raindrops measured only 2.46-inches. Weather Observer Barbara Wilson says that’s about the same as last June, which was the first month of summer drought. The one difference between last year’s drought and our current dry condition is that this year’s drought, for parts of Oconee County, is rated “exceptional.” The next update should come today, when the state drought committee meets.
SWAG agreement highlights Council agenda (6/30/08)
Oconee Regional Sewer Authority business will be discussed during tomorrow night’s meeting of the Oconee County Council. Under new business, council will focus on the Golden Commerce Park and the sewer-water agreement known as “SWAG.” At a workshop meeting last week, councilmen heard three options for handling the wastewater that would be produced at the planned industrial park along Highway 59 at Fair Play. Each option would cost millions of dollars and take two years to install. An engineer, representing sewer officials, also predicted whoever locates in the park would have to pay a fairly high rate. Council meets at 7pm tomorrow night at Pine Street and will also consider an in-car video camera system for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department.
Hear local news with Chad Dorsett every hour throughout the day on WSNW-AM 1150.
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